New U.S. Rule for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants: Where You Must Apply Starting September 2025

As of September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State now requires most nonimmigrant visa applicants to schedule their interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country or country of residence. This is a major change from past practice, where many applicants could choose a third country for convenience or shorter wait times.